Week in Review

May 23, 2014
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Modified Stage 3 Water Restrictions Extended Through Summer
The City of Richardson will continue Modified Stage 3 Water Restrictions, which limit lawn irrigation to twice a month, throughout the summer. The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), which supplies water to Richardson, adopted new water usage guidance Thursday for its member and customer cities. The District says its communities need to achieve greater than 10 percent savings through the summer months because of the ongoing drought.

The water level in Lavon Lake is 11.5 feet below normal and levels in Lake Chapman are nearly 7 feet below normal as of May 21. The region has received less rain than normal this spring, which is typically the wettest season of the year, and summer forecasts predict low to normal precipitation. Next month, the NTMWD will be able to once again use water from Lake Texoma thanks to a recently constructed pipeline. Lake Texoma accounts for about 28 percent of the District’s water supply, but it has been unavailable because of a zebra mussel infestation.

Through the use of Stage 3 water conservation measures, the City of Richardson has been able to meet the District's call to save a target of 10 percent of water usage. The District is now calling for its customers to exceed that amount, which is why Richardson water customers are being called to continue twice-a-month watering through the summer.

Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and during times of precipitation. The City has inspectors monitoring for compliance 18 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about Modified Stage 3 Water Restrictions online at cor.net/waterconservation. Report a violation through the MyRichardson mobile app or by calling 972-744-4111.

Watch a City Council work session discussion about the continuation of Modified Stage 3 Water Restrictions at bit.ly/1nfrdgu.

Richardson Neighborhoods Ranked Among Top in Metroplex
Richardson neighborhoods were recognized in the 2014 Best Neighborhoods section of The Dallas Morning News, which ranked neighborhoods throughout the Metroplex on a variety of factors.

The North Richardson area was rated fourth overall, and was also in the top 10 for safest neighborhoods and third overall for empty nesters. The analysis cited low crime, attractive landscaping, ample parks and trees, and easy accessibility to a variety of attractions.

Northeast Richardson was ranked second in the healthiest neighborhoods category, for the large number of trails and access to many parks and outdoor amenities such as Spring Creek Nature Area and Sherrill Park Golf Course.

Council Approves Rezoning in West Spring Valley Corridor for Restaurant ParkThe City Council has approved zoning for another commercial project that is hoped will spur redevelopment, this time in the West Spring Valley Corridor. On Monday, the Council approved a request to rezone 5.1 acres at the southwest corner of US 75 and James Drive to allow for a planned development featuring a restaurant park. Plans call for two standalone restaurants and a multi-tenant restaurant building surrounding a courtyard area that will include a water feature, public art and landscaping. All restaurants will include outdoor dining areas.

The 5-acre site is located within the 200-acre Spring Valley Road Planned Development that was created in 2011. It is one of four catalyst sites identified in the West Spring Valley Corridor Reinvestment Study that has potential to spur additional development in the area.

Attendance Announced For Richardson’s Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival
Tabulations are still coming in, but figures show that approximately 75,000 people attended last weekend's Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival. Richardson's Parks and Recreation Department attributes the strong showing to a strong lineup of headliners and good weather.

Joan Jett appears to have attracted the largest crowd, filling the festival's LegacyTexas Bank stage amphitheater Saturday night. A surprise appearance by John Popper of Blues Traveler also gave crowds an extra unexpected treat Saturday evening during The Wallflowers' set on the Galatyn Plaza Stage.

This is the 22nd year the City of Richardson has produced the Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival. It has grown to become North Texas' largest music event, spanning three days with more than 80 performances scheduled on six different stages.

Heights Family Aquatic Center Opens this Weekend

The Heights Family Aquatic Center will open for the season this weekend, with public swimming hours from noon to 9 p.m.

The City’s four other pools will be open daily beginning June 1. See a full schedule of public swimming hours at each pool at cor.net/parks. Season and family passes are available. Children age 3 and younger are admitted free.

Free Admission to City Pools on Splash Day May 31
The Heights Family Aquatic Center, Glenville, Canyon Creek, Terrace and Cottonwood pools will open for the summer season on Splash Day, scheduled for Saturday, May 31. That day, admission will be free during regular operating hours.

The Parks and Recreation Department will offer a free swim lessons from 9 a.m. to noon at Glenville Pool, 500 S. Glenville Dr., on Splash Day. Register for a free lesson by calling 972-744-7893.

Memorial Day Holiday ScheduleOn Monday, May 26 City facilities and services will operate according to the following Memorial Day Schedule:

There will be NO trash or recycling service provided Monday, May 26. The table below shows the makeup days for service.

Trash Collection

Trash collection days affected by holiday

Make-up day

Monday, May 26

No make-up day

Recycle Make Up Days

Recycle collection days affected by holiday

Make-up day

Monday, May 26

Tuesday, May 27

Tuesday, May 27

Wednesday, May 28

Mosquito Control Program Underway
The City revamped its Mosquito Control Program last year after the region saw a record number of West Nile virus cases in 2012. Those efforts helped lead to only one case being reported in Richardson in 2013, and the City will continue following the expanded program in 2014 and beyond. Last year’s updates included fixed trapping sites with weekly trapping, increased abatement of standing water, using fish to control mosquito larvae, additional public outreach and other measures.

This year, the City has continued to grow the program by conducting year-round monitoring of mosquitoes for West Nile virus, having off-road equipment available to spray for mosquitoes along trails and creeks, and partnering with Dallas County Health and Human Services to provide promotional packs of larvacide during the peak of the mosquito season.

Richardson residents are reminded to follow the four “D’s” to help prevent mosquito bites and the spread of West Nile virus:

DRAIN standing water around the home,

Use insect repellent containing DEET,

Avoid being outdoors at DUSK and DAWN when mosquitoes are most active,

DRESS to protect yourself with long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.

Watch a work session presentation on the City’s mosquito control program at bit.ly/1lRCDBH.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Mayor Laura Maczka proclaimed May 2014 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month during Monday’s City Council work session. Members of local motorcycle clubs accepted the proclamation, which encourages all motorists to watch for motorcycles and to use extra caution when sharing the road with them. Watch the presentation at bit.ly/1pdKjAD.

RISD Teachers Fly on NASA Science Mission
The two Richardson High School teachers who were honored at this year’s State of the City Address for being chosen for a highly selective NASA program have completed their mission.

George Hademenos and Diane Watson were among four teachers to fly on NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), the world’s largest flying telescope, earlier this month.

They are among just 24 teachers selected to take part in SOFIA’s Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program in 2014. They worked side-by-side with astronomer teams, witnessing all stages of scientific research, including preparations, observations, and data analysis and publication. They will then implement classroom lessons and public outreach programs based on their experiences.

SOFIA is an extensively modified Boeing 747SP jetliner equipped with a 100-inch diameter telescope. The observatory enables the analysis of infrared light to study the formation of stars and planets; chemistry of interstellar gases; composition of comets, asteroids and planets; and supermassive black holes at the center of galaxies.

Primary Runoff Election on TuesdayElection Day for the Democratic and Republican Party Primary Runoff Election is Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the location designated for your precinct. Richardson City Hall is not a voting location on Election Day.

A sample ballot and Dallas County voting day polling locations may be found on the Dallas County Elections website at dallascountyvotes.org. Collin County polling locations and a sample ballot may be found on the Collin County Elections Department website at co.collin.tx.us/elections.

Voters are reminded that they are required to show a photo ID at the polls. For more information, contact the Dallas County Elections Department at 214-819-6389 or the Collin County Elections Department at 972-424-1460 ext. 1990.

For more information, contact the Richardson City Secretary’s Office at 972-744-4290 or visit cor.net/elections.

Dance Groups to Perform at Eisemann Center This Week
The Eisemann Center will host performances from two dance groups this week. Toby’s School of Dance will present “Dances at a Gathering” at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Eisemann Center. Tickets cost $14 to $22. For more information, visit tobysdance.com.

Tickets for all Eisemann Center shows are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650.

Richardson Community Band to Begin Summer Concerts
The Richardson Community Band will open its series of free summer concerts this Sunday with a Memorial Day Tribute concert. Families are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets, a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of music, which will take place at 7 p.m. on the lawn at the Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Rd.

Movie, Mixed Media and Therapy Dogs at the Library This Week
The Richardson Public Library will host several events this week, including a free showing of “Turbo” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the First Floor Program Room. The movie is rated PG and recommended for children age three and older. For more information, call 972-744-4358.
A Mixed Media Workshop will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the Basement Program Room. All materials will be provided for the free course, which is for adults and age 13 and older. Register by calling 972-744-4376.
Children in kindergarten through fourth grade can read to Heart of Texas therapy dogs from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Tales for Tails in the Children’s Program Room. Learn more by calling 972-744-4358.

Library Summer Storytime Registration Begins Tuesday
Registration begins Tuesday for the Richardson Public Library Summer Storytime. The program includes BabySteps for children age six weeks to 12 months, Wiggle Worms for children age 12 to 36 months old, Storytime for children age 3 to 6 and a First and Second Grade Storytime for children entering first and second grades.

Meet Kitten! After nine years of being in a loving home her owner had to move into an assisted living center and could not take her beloved Kitten. She is a spayed female, declawed, DSH, and fully vaccinated. Kitten is a calm quiet girl and lived around dogs.